Sheet-metal stopper for bottles, jars, &amp;c.



No. 801,280. PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905. A. L. WEISSENTHANNER. SHEET METAL STOPPER FOR BOTTLES, JARS, &0.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27. 1903. RENEWED NOV. 7.1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED L. WEISSENTHANNER, or NEW YORK, N. Y.- SHEET-METAL STOPPER FOR BDTTLES, JARSJdv-O.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentei'Oct. 10, 1905.

Application fil d November 27, 1903. Renewed November 7, 1904. Serial No. 231,679.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED L. WEISSEN- THANNER, a citizen of the'Republic of France, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Metal Stoppers. for Bottles, Jars, &c., of which the following. is a specification. Thisinvention relates to sheet-metal stoppers for bottles, jars, &c.-, and. particularly to stoppers having means adapted to be forced into-locking relation with. a suitable part of the bottle or jar.

As heretofore constructed stoppers of the character referred to ordinarily required the use of a special opening implement to remove them from the mouth of the bottle. Even where the stoppers have been provided with projecting parts, known as tongues, to facilitate the detaching of the stoppers by af fording a finger-hold such stoppers as heretofore constructed cannot-be removed by the ordinary user without the aid of an implement,

especially where the construction is such that the stopper will retain the contents of the vessel under a considerable pressure, as in the case of bottled beer and carbonated beverages. Where the stoppers have been provided with depending flanges adapted to be forced into locking contact with an external shoulder near the mouth of the receptacle, the flanges in some cases have been weakened by severing or partly severing them at one or more points around their circumference to facilitate their removal. Such stoppers, however, cannot be readily removed -by means of the tongues as heretofore constructed, particularly if the locking relation between the stopper and the receptacle is strong enough to retain the stopper under pressure. My invention has for an object to provide a construction whereby the stopper may be readily removed from the vessel by the ordi nary user without the aid of an opening implement-and without the exercise of special care or skill. It is also an object of myinvention to provide a stopper which can be made from a minimum amount of metal and with a minimum waste in the cutting of the metal and which can be cheaply constructed and readily applied to the receptacle.

I have found that by providing a sheetmetal stopper with a member adapted to act as a lever to free a portion of the stopper from the receptacle the stopper may be readily detached. In the best embodiment of the invention the lever-like member is in the form 1 of a tongue or projection adapted to be engaged by the fingers of the user, and it is so constructed that it may serve to multiply the force applied to it in such a manner as to free the stopper in some way from its locking relation with the receptacle. According to the best construction the detaching member or tongue is so formed as to be longitudinally stiflened, so that a force applied on one part may be transmitted to another part and there multiplied without so bending the tongue as to render it ineffective to readily free the stopper. The releasing-member or tonguemay be stiffened in any suitable way, as by providing it with a stiffening rib or ribs or, by

giving it such form or such circumferential tween the stopper and the receptacle may be circumferentially continuous, or it may extend only part way around, or it may be madeat intervals, or it may be located above or below the base of the member or tongue provided for freeing the stopper from the receptacle.

The member or tongue for freeing the stopper may act in any suitable way. It may act merely to release a suitable portion of the locking engagement between the stopper and the receptacle, or it may act to dislodgethe stopper, or it may act to both loosen and dislodge'the stopper, and it may form a permanent part of the stopper, or it may be so constructed that when used it will be separated or detached from the stopp'er.

lNhere the locking engagement between the 1 stopper and the'receptacle is such as is adapted to maintain a sealing relation between the stopper and the receptacle under considerable internal pressure, means are usuallyrequired for freeing on partly freeing the locking engagement between the stopper and the receptacle before the stopper can be readily removed. This releasing of the stopper may be efl ected directly by the stiffened member or tongue provided to remove the stopper or by means rendered operative by such stiflened member, or means independent of such stiflened member may be provided for the purpose of releasing a suitable portion of the locking engagement between the stopper and the re-' ceptacle. The stopper maybe provided with more than one stiffened tongue or member,

and where a plurality of tongues are provided they may be tongues of difl'erent charact ers,

one or more serving to free and another or others serving to remove the stopper.

Where the locking engagement between the stopper and the receptacle issaficient to retain the stopper under pressure, I have found that it is necessary, in order that the stopper may be readily removed by the stiflened member without the aid of an implement, that the locking engagement bet-ween the-stopper and of said member and in the vicinity of the points at which the locking engagement is released. The releasing of the locking engagement may be eflected by suitable means dependent on or independent ofthe. stiffened member, or it may be efl ected by merely interrupting the circumferential continuity of the locked portions of the stopper or by interrupting the locking engagement between the stopper and the receptacle. The released or interrupted part of the locking connections may be localized at two or more points on opposite sides of the s-tiflened tongue, or the released or interrupted part may extend a suficient circumferential distance to provide for the release of the locking engages ment at the required points on opposite sidesof the stiflened tongue. Where a continuous part of the flange is released, the stifl ened tongue may be located within the limits 1 of the released part, or it may be locatedwithin the limits of the locking part, and while it may be located at any point in the limits of either part it is preferably located at the central point thereof. In any event there must not be a considerable extent of the flange of the stopper in firm locking relation with the receptacle at or near the opposite ends of the scmicircurnference of the stopper in which the stiflened tongue is located. In the best construction the stopper should not be firmly loclred for, say, more than about a quarter of an inch on either side of the opposite ends of the semicircumference of the stopper within which the stifl'ened tongueis located. In the case of stoppers adapted for sealing ordinary eoiaeec small-mouth bottles the points at which the locking engagement of the flange is released I on opposite sides of the stiflened member should be separated in the best construction by at least one-third of the circumference of the stopper and not more than two-thirds of that circumference. In the case of stoppers adapted to seal receptacles having mouths of the larger sizes the points at which the looking engagement is released on opposite sides of the stifl ened member in the best construction should be separated by a distance greater than one-third of the circumference of the stopper and less than two-thirds of the circumference.

In accordance with one feature of my invcntion the stopper is provided with a member adapted to act as a lever to free a portion of the stopper from the receptacle. best emhodiment'of thisfeature of the invention the member for freeing a portion of the stopper from the receptacle is adapted to multiply the force applied to free the stopper.

Inaccordance with another feature of my.

invention the lever-like member or tongue is so disposed with relation to the stopper that 'aportion of the stopper may be freed from its locking relation with the receptacle.

In accordance with another feature of my invention a stopper is provided with a locking portion having detachable connections, and a lever-like member is provided and so arranged that the connections may be readily detached to free the stopper; best embodiment of this feature of the invention the stopper is provided with a flange integrally formed with the top or crown portion of the stopper, and portions of the flange are detachably connected with the lever-like member in such a manner that a force applied to the said member will be multiplied and exerted in a manner to break or detach said conncctions.

In accordance with another feature of the invention a stopper is provided with a stiflened or lever-like member or tongue, and the locking engagement between the stopper and v the receptacle is or means are provided where: by the said engagement may be released on opposite sides of the lever-like member. In the best embodiment of this feature of the invention the stopper is provided with an integral depending flange bent or adapted to be bent into lockin'g engagement with the shoul-,

der on the receptacle, provision being made for the weakening of the flange and weakening its locking engagement with the receptacle at or near the opposite ends of the semicircumference in which the lever-like member or stiffened tongue is located.

The invention further consists of the novel parts, improvements, and constructions herein shown anddescribed.

In order that my invention may be more fully understood, il have illustrated in the ac- In accordance with the In the i companying drawings, which are referred to herein and form a part hereof, several characteristic embodiments of my invention, which, in connection with the description herein, will serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stopper constructed in accordance with my invention, said stopper being of a size adapted to seal ordinary small-mouthed bottles and being illustrated as applied to the mouth of such a bottle. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side of the stopper shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 as viewed from below. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the stopper of Figs. 1 and 2 is formed. Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. .1, illustrating modified forms of stoppers adapted for sealing small-mouthed bottles. Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another form of stopper. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the blank from which the stopper of Fig. 9 is formed. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the stopper shown in Fig. 9 as modified to adapt it for sealing a smallmouthed bottle, the locking shoulder of which is remote from the lip of the bottle-mouth. Fig. 12 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, of a stopper constructed in accordance with my invention and adapted to seal receptacles having large mouths, the cap being illustrated as applied to the receptacle. Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the stopper of Fig. 12 With'the flange-loosening means removed. Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the stopper of Figs. 12 and 13 is formed. Fig. 15 is view similar to that of Fig. 12, illustrating a modified-form of stopper adapted to seal receptacles having large months. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the blank from which the stopper of Fig. 15 is formed;

and Figs. 17 and 18 are views similar to that: of Fig. 12, illustrating another form of stopper as viewed from points at right angles to each other with relation to the vertical axis of the stopper.

While stoppers constructed in accordance with my invention may be formed of any suitable sheet metal they are preferably formed, as is usual with closures of this character, of the ordinary tin-plate ofcommerce. The form of stopper illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, is especially adapted to seal bottles having small mouths and an external locking-shoulder located close to the lip of the bottle. As shown, this stopper is provided with an integral depending flange 1, said flange having such extent or depth that its lower edge may be bent into locking contact with the locking-shoulder 2 of the bottle-neck 3. The flange of this stopper is provided with two depending stiffened members or tongues 4 and 5, which, as shown,

are stiffened by reason of theirgreat circumferential extent. The tongue 4 is designed to serve as a means for releasing a suitable extent of the locking engagement between the stopper and the bottle, and to this end the flange 1 of the stopper is provided at a suitable distance above the base of the tongue and preferably just above the part of the flange which is bent into locking relation with the bottle-shoulder with a circumferential cut or slit 6. This slit 6 has such extent that when the metal of the flange at the opposite sides of the tongue- 1 is torn upwardly by a suitable force applied to the tongue the latter will be entirely separatedfrom the stopper. Where, as shown, the circumferential extent of the tongue and slit is not great enough to sufliciently release the flange of the stopper from the locking-should er on the bottle,the flange,in any suitable way, may be further weakened in a circumferential direction. As shown, the flange is provided on one or both sides ofthe tongue and preferably at some distance therefrom with a cut-away part or recess 7 so that those portions of the flange will not'be bent into locking relation with the shoulder, said recess or recesses beingof such extent that when the loosening-tongue is removed the cap may be readily displaced. Where the locking en-. gagement between the stopper and the receptacle is of such a character that the stopper cannot be readily dislodged when the releasing-tongue has been removed, means may be provided to aid in removing the stopper. In the best construction a lever-like removing member, as the tongue 5, is provided for this purpose. The .tongue 5 by reason of its curvature can act as a lever, any force exerted at its lower part being multiplied and exerted on the flange in such manner as to free the same from the locking-shoulder on the bottle. It will be seen also that the tongue constitutes a lever-like member adapted to free a portion of the stopper from the receptacle and that it also forms means independent of the member or tongue 5 for releasing a part of the flange from the receptacle.

For the purpose of enabling the tongues 1 and 5 to be more firmly grasped by the fin gers of the user and to prevent the pain or injury which might result from forcible contact of the fingers with the sharp edge of the metal each 'of said tongues, in accordance with one feature of my invention, is provided at its free end with a fold or head 8. The bead may be formedon the outer side of the tongue, as shown, or it may be formed on the inside thereof; but in any event it is preferably so formed as to present at the end of the tongue a portion having a rounded or blunt surface, and preferably also a portion which is thickened. Where a tongue is stiffened by reason of its great circumferential'extent, its stiffness is materially increased by the circumferential bend of the metal at and near the base of the tongue, which results from foicing the metal under the annular lockingshoulder on the bottle. Where the tongue or a portion of it is bodily forced inwardly toward the bottle-neck by the operation of applying the stopper, so as to form the arc of a smaller circle, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the stiflness of the tongue is further increased to a material extent.

The blank from which the stopper of Figs.

1 and 2 is formed is clearly illustrated in Fig.

5, and .for the purpose of ready comparison the parts of the blank are referred to by'the same numbers as the corresponding parts of the completed closure. The part of the blank Within the dotted circle forms the top of the stopper, and the part without the circle forms the flange 1 with its two tongues 4.. and 5 and its recesses 7. The circumferential cut or slit 6 is made in the flange of the stopper after the stopper has been formed up out ofthe blank in accordance .with the method of making caps which forms the subject-matter of my prior application, Swial No. 151,574.

The stopper shown in Fig. 6 is similar to .that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, in that itis provided when required with two tongues, one a stiflenedreleasing-tongue and the other a stifle'ned removingtongue. Only one of these tonguesto wit, the releasing-tongue 10is shown,.the removing-tongue prefer-f ably being like the removing-tongue 5 of the stopper previously described. In this stopper the recesses 11 at the opposite sides of the tongue are extended so as to form the base of the tongue, and a horizontal slit.12 is 7 located in or substantially in the base-line of the tongue, so that when the tongue is pulled outwardly it will act as a lever to break the metal in the line of the base of the tongue to loosen a part of the flange from the lockingshoulder of the bottle instead of tearing" it vertically or transversely to the line-of the base of the tongue. r

The form of stopper illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is like that shown in Fig. 1 except that the tongues liand15 are stifl'ened by vertical ribs 16 instead of by greatcircumferential extent, and that the flange 17 of the stopper is constructed to be applied to bottles having the locking-shoulder 18 at a greater distance from the mouth of the bottle. The horizontal cut 19 above the releasing-tongue 14: has a circumferential extent about equal to the width of said tongue, and a vertical cut or slit20 is preferably provided to weaken the flange, so that the stopper may be suitably released by the removal of the tonguenlt notwithstanding the great verticalextent of the flange. Recesses 21 are provided on opposite sides of the releasing tongue 14, so that a suflicient circumferential extent of the flange may be released from the lockingshoulder by the tearing away of the tongue 14.. The free ends of each of the tongues 14.

semen scribed may be adapted for use in connection.

with the bottles having locking-shoulders located remote from the mouths of the bottles, the horizontal slits shown in those stoppers being provided, if necessary, with one or more Eerticfal extensions such as that shown in In g accordance with the form of stopper shown in Fig. 9 only one stiflenedtongue is provided, the same serving to release a suitable part of the flange from its locking relation with the bottle and then to remove the stopper. As shown, this stopper is provided with a flange 23, having a depending tongue 2%, which is stiflened by reason of its great circumferential extent. This tongue is preferably provided with a bead 25. At points above the opposite sides of the tongue 24 the flange 23 is provided with horizontal cuts'or slits 26. These slits, as shown, are preferably located just above the portion of the flange which is bent into locking relation with the shoulder onthe bottle. In accordance with the best embodiment of'this form of stopper the adjacent ends of the slits 26 are extended slightly within vertical lines drawn through the opposite sides of the base of thetongue, so that the .flange may be released with certainty by the application of a slight force thereto, notwithstanding the tendency of the metal to tear upwardly on lines which converge somewhat. The slits'26 are. extended outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the tongue to such extent that when the flange is released the stopper may be readily removed by the continued application of force to the tongue. As shown in Fig. 10, the blank from which this stopperis made consists of a plain disk havinga single tongue-forming prd jectio'n 24L.

The form of stopper illustrated in Fig. 11 is similar to that shown in Fig. 9, such differences as exist being for the purpose of adapting the stopper to a bottle having a locki'ng-shoulder located ata considerable distance from its mouth. In accordance with this construction the flange 28 of the stopper has a depth suited to the location of the lockingshoulder on the bottle. The tongue 29, as

shown, is like tongue 24, and the flange is provided with horizontal slits 30, like the slits 26; but in order that the stopper may be sufliciently released by rupturing the metal atthe opposite sides of the tongue the slits 30 are provided with flange-weakening extensions 31, which, as" shown, preferably communicate with the outer ends of the slits 30 and are arranged vertically inthe flange.

In-Figs. 12 to 18, inclusive, the invention is illustrated as applied to jars or receptacles having large mouths. Where the month of the receptacle is not too great, the-same construction of closure or stopper may be employed as for the small-mouth receptacles. In the best construction, however, the leverlike releasing and removing members or tongues are duplicated or repeated at suitable intervals around the stoppers of the larger sizes. In accordance with the construetion shown in Fig. 12 the stopper is provided with two releasing-tongues 34 and with two removingtongues 35, the tongues of each pair being arranged diametrically opposite to each other, so that the releasing and removing tongues will alternate with each other around the circumference of the stopper. tion the blanks from which said caps are formed may be cut out of a sheet of metal with a minimum of waste. In this embodiment of the invention the tongues are rendered still by reason of their great circumferential extent, and although the degree of curvature of the tongues is less than that of the tongues on the stoppers constructed for small mouthed bottles the greater amount of metal in the tongues of the larger stoppers is sufiicient to give them the required rigidity. In the preferred construction of the large stoppers, moreover, the rigidity of the tongues is increased by the manner in which the locking relation between the stopper and the receptacle is effected. In accordance with one feature of my invention the locking-shoulder on the receptacles, andparticularly on the larger receptacles, is formed by a circumferential recess 36, formed within the vertical wall of a rib or enlargement 37, which is located at or near the mouth of the receptacle, the neck of the receptacle below the rib being reduced, as shown at 38, to afford a recess between the lower ends of the tongues and the receptacles, so that the-ends of the tongues may be easily engaged by the fingers of the user. The locking relation between the stopper and the receptacle is formed by bending the lower edge of the flange of the stopper and the metal forming the bases of the tongues into the annular recess 36, the tongues being supported and retained in their original form by the lower part of the rib 37. The circumferential channel or bead formed at the base of each of the tongues materially adds to their stiffness and in the case of the releasing-tongues forms a fulcrum-point upon which a leverage may be secured suflicient to enable the metal at the opposite sides of the tongue to be easily torn. As shown in Fig. 12, the flange of the stopper is provided with a horizontal out or slit 39, which is preferably located just above the groove in the receptacle and is terminated 'at points adjacent to the opposite sides of the tongue'. In order to secure the desired release of the stopper by the tearing away of one or both of the tongues 34, the flange of the stopper between said By reason of this feature of the inven-- tongues and the tongues 35 may be provided with cut-away portions or recesses 40, which extend upwardly to or near theupper line of the recess 36 in the receptacle, so that the flange of the stopper at these points -will not be bent into locking relation with the receptacle, the tongues or projections in that case practically constituting the means by which the stopper is secured to the receptacle. While the stopper shown in Fig.12 is provided with two lever-like releasing-tongues 34 and two lever-like removing-tongues 35, it is to be'observed that only one of these pairs of tongues may be necessary to enable the stopper to be readily released and removed. As these tongues, however, are formed of a part of the sheet metal which might otherwise be wasted, the stoppers are constructed with both pairs of tongues, such construction being also more symmetrical. and more convenient in use.

When the releasing-tongues of these stoppers have been torn away, the stoppers may be readily removed and replaced, the channels or beads at the bases of the removing-tongues 35 serving, through the spring in the metal, to hold the stoppers in effective contact with the mouth'of the receptacle. .Fig. 13 illustrates the stopper of Fig. 12 as it appears after the releasing-tongues have been detached. The

free ends of both-the releasing and removing tongues are preferably provided with folds or beads'41. from which the stopperof Figs. 12 and 13 is formed.

In Figs. 15 and 16 is illustrated a modified form of the stopper of Figs. 12 and 13.. The stopper of these figures differs from those shownin the previous figures principally in that the releasing and removing tongues 44 and 45 are stifl'ened by means of ribs 46, stamped in the metal adjacent to the borderline of the tongues, instead of by giving the tongues great circumferential extent. With tongues of this character the horizontal slits 47 are made much shorter than in the previous form of stopper,'and the recesses 48 between the tongues are considerably greater in extent than in the previous form. As the receptacle shown in Fig. 15 has a deep locking-rib 49 and a locking-groove 50, which is located remotely from the mouth of the receptacle, the slits 47 are preferably connected with vertical slits 51, so as to permit the opposite sides of the flange to be readily sprung outwardly, as required to remove the stopper. The blank from which this stopper isconstructed is clearly illustrated in-Fig. 16.

The locking relation between the stoppers and the receptacles may be secured in any suitable way. In the forms of stoppers so far described this locking relation is secured after the stopper is applied to the receptacle and pressure exerted thereon to compress the sealing material by bending a suitable part of the flange into locking relation with the shoulder In Fig. 14 is illustrated the blank,

or recess on the mouth of the bottle. 'llhis locking may be eflected in any suitable machine, either by a machine having a tool which forces the flange into position on all sides simultaneously or by a machine having a tool which acts to bend the flange into locking'relation by a progressive action, as in spinning. My invention, moreover, is applicable to stoppers in which the feature or features by which the locking relation between the stopper and the receptacle is secured is provided before the stopper is applied to the receptacle. In Figs; 17 and 18 such a stopper is. illustrated, the same being particularly designed for sealingthe mouths of ordinarytumblers. In accordance with this construction the stopper has a depending flange 52, which is provided at its lower edge with suitable releasing and removing tongues. As shown, two releasing-tongues 54 and two removingtongues 55 are provided. The releasingtongues, as shown, are substantially like the releasing-tongues 34: of the form of stopper shown in Fig. 12. the horizontal slit 56 being provided in the flange above the base of the tongue to permit the removal of the latter by an upward tearing of the metal.

or receptacle.

While no form of stopper adapted for re- Where the flangehas considerable depth, as shown, the horizontal slits 56 may be provided with vertical extensions 57. To securealocking relation between the stopper and the receptacle, the tongues 54: and55 may be provided at or near their bases with horizontal grooves 58 of such depth that the stopper may be sprung down over the mouth of the tumbler 59 and held there by the engagement of the inner surfaces of the ribs formed by the grooves 58 against the outer surfaces of the tumbler. To provide a more secure hold on the surface of the tumbler, the flange 52 of the stopper may be provided at suitable points with inwardly-bearing lips, formed by suitable hori zontal and vertical cuts in the metal. As shown, two of these in wardly-bearing lockinglips 60 are provided, the same being in accordance with the best construction located directly above and being joined base to base with the removing-tongues55. Asindicated, the lips 60 are preferably provided with fine Vertical corrugations, preferably of a character adapted to vertically stiffen the lips and also to increase their stiflness in a transverse direction-that is, to increase the'pressu re with which they are enabled to bear attheir upper edges upon the outer surface of the-tumbler ceptacles having large mouths has been illustrated as provided with a stiflened tongue adapted to both release and remove the stopper, it will be obvious that such a form of tongue may be employed in connection with a larger stopper, if desired. It is preferred, however, to construct the larger stoppers with detachable releasing-tongues, for the reason that the larger stoppers are frequently used to form temporary closures after they have been once removed. A tongue which has to be bent outwardly and more or less deformed to loosen the stopper would somewhat disfigure the stopper, and thus impair its usefulness as a temporary closure. Where the stoppers are usually thrown away as soon as they are removed from the receptacles, as are those used for sealing small-mouthed bottles, the combined releasing and removing tongue is not objectionable. It is obvious, moreover, thatthe form of tongue illustrated in Fig. 6 may be employed, if desired, in connection with the larger sizes of stoppers. As the metal in this construction, however, must be broken circumferentially instead of being torn vertically upward, as in the other constructions illustrated, this construction is not as desirable as the other constructions. especiallyfor the larger stoppers.

In the forms of stoppers shown in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, the means for releasing a part of the stoppers from their locking relations with the receptacle serve in each case to loosen the stopper on opposite sides of the removingtongue, the released part in each case extending to about one-third of the circumference of the stopper. By reason of the small size of these stoppers there will not be more than,

say, one-quarter of an inch of the flange of the the removing-tongue, whether that removingtongue be located within the bounds of the locked portion of the stoppen as in the forms of the stopper illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and in Figs. 6 and 7, or whether the stiffened removing-tongue be located within the bounds of the released portion of the stopper, as in the forms shown in Figs. 9 and 11.

The larger sizes of stoppers exemplified in Figs. 12 to 18, inclusive, are shown as provided with means whereby. they maybe released substantially at the opposite ends of the semicircumference within which a stiffened removing-tongue is located. While thisconthe opposite ends of the semicircumference of the cap within which the lifting-tongue is located. In the best construction, however, there should not be more than, say, one-quarter of an. inch of the'flange'of the stopper in firm locking relation with the receptacle on either side of the opposite ends of the said semicircumference.

While the detachable connections between the flange and the releasing member in each form of stopper illustrated in the drawings are integrally formed with said parts, it is to be understood that other forms of detachable connections may be used.

It is to be understood that my invention in its broader aspects is not to be limited to the particular constructions shown, nor to any particular construction by which it may be carried into effect, as many changes may be made in the construction of the stoppers without departing from the main principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A sheet-metal stopper having a stiffened member adapted to act as a lever to free a portion of the stopper from the receptacle.

2. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, and a stiffened member adapted to act as a lever to free a portion of the flange from its locking relation with the receptacle.

3. A sheet-metal stopper having a member for freeing a portion of the stopper from the receptacle, said member being stiffened and thereby adapted to multiply the force applied to free the cap.

1. A sheet-metal stopper having a member for freeing a portion of the stopper from the receptacle, said member being stiffened and thereby adapted to act as a lever to free the stopper.

5. A sheet-metal stopper having a portion adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, saidlocking portion having detachable connections whereby it may be released, and a stiffened lever-like member for freeing a portion of the released stopper from the receptacle.

6. A sheet-metal stopper having a portion adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle; said locking portion having detachable connections whereby it may be released, and a stiffened member adapted to act as a lever to detach said connections.

7. A sheet-metal stopper having a portion adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member for, releasing part of the said locking portion, and means independent of said releasing means for freeing the stopper from the receptacle.

18. -A sheet-metal stopper having a portion adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member adapted to release part of said locking portion, and a member adapted to act as a lever to remove.

the stopper from the receptacle.

9. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a member integrally formed with and projecting from said flange, said member being stiffened in the direction of its length whereby it may act as a lever to release a portion of the flange from its locking relation with the receptacle.

10. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, and a member integrally formed with and projecting from said flange, said member being stiffened in the direction of its length whereby it may act as a lever to remove the stopper from the receptacle.

11. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a member integrally formed with and projecting from said flange, said member being adapted to act as a lever to free a portion of the flange from its locking relation with the receptacle, and means independent of said member to remove the stopper.

12. A sheet-metal stopper havingan integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation witha receptacle, a member integrally formed with and depending from said flange, said member being adapted to act as a lever to remove the stopper from the receptacle, and means independent of said member for freeing a portion of the flange from its locking relation with the receptacle.

13. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member for freeing a portion of said flange from its locking relation with the receptacle, and a member integrally formed with said flange and adapted to act as a lever to remove the stopper from the receptacle.

14. A sheet-metal stopper having a part adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a stiffened member adapted to act as a lever to free a portion of the stopper from its locking relation with the receptacle,

said locking part of the stopper being released from locking relation with the receptacle on opposite sides of the lever-like member.

15. A sheet-metal stopper having a part adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a stiffened member adapted to act as a lever to free a portion ofthe stopper from its locking relation with the receptacle, and means whereby said locking part may be released from looking relation with the receptacle on opposite sides of said lever-like member.

16. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle,

a lever-like freeing member projecting from and integrally formed with said flange, and means whereby said flange may be released from its locking relation on opposite sides of forced into locking relation with a receptacle, and a stiffened lever-like member integrally formed with and depending from said flange, said flangebeing weakened on opposite sides of said lever-like member.,

18. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member integrally formed with and depending from said flange, said flange being weakened on opposite sides of said lethe lever-like member.

20. A sheet-metal stopper having an. integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member integrally formed with and projecting from said flange for removing the stopper from the receptacle, and means independent of said member for releasing the flange on opposite sides of said member.

21. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending-flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member integrally formed with and depending from said flange for removing the stopper from the receptacle, and a pair of members integrally 'formed with said flange for releasing the flange on opposite sides of said lever-like member. p

22. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like member'integrally formed with and depending from said flange for removing the stopper from the receptacle, and a pair of members integrally formed with and adapted to act as levers to release the flange on oppo site sides of said lever-like member;

23. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a lever-like memberintegrally formed with said flange, said flange being weakened adjacent to the opposite ends of the semicircummember is located.

ference of the capwithin which the lever-like '24. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, a

'- lever-like member integrally formed with said 'ggrflange, and means whereby-the flange may be released adjacent to the opposite ends of' the semicircumference of the stopper Within which the lever-like member is located.

25. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, said flange being provided with a plurality of tongues and a portion weakened in a direction extending circumferentially thereof at the base of one or more of said tongues.

26. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, said flange being provided with a plurality of stiflened tongues and a weakened portion adjacent to the base of one or more of said tongues. 8o

27. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with a receptacle, said flange being provided with a plurality of tongues and a weakened portion at the base of one or more of said tongues, a part of the flange between the tongues not being forced into locking relation with the receptacle.

28. A- sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with go a receptacle, said flange being provided with a plurality of stiflened tongues and a weakened portion at the base of one or more of said tongues, a part of the flange between the tongues not being forced into locking relation 5 with the receptacle.

29. A sheet-metal stopper havinga flange adapted to be forced into securing relation with a receptacle, said flange being provided with a tongue and having a cut extending circumfer-- 10c entially thereof, said out beingilocated transversely of the tongue and adjacent to the base thereof.

30. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be forced into locking relation with mg a receptacle, said flange being provided with a tongue and having a cut extending circumferentially thereof at the base of the tongue.

31. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange provided with a stiflened tongue and a cut 10- no cated transversely of the tongue and adjacent to the base thereof.

32. A sheet-metal stopper provided with a tongue adapted to be engaged-by the fingers to free a portion of the stopper from the receptacle, the end of the metal forming said tongue being bent to form a blunt end on the tongue.

33. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange provided withastiifened tongue, the end of the metal forming said tongue being bent to form I 20 a blunt end on the tongue.

34:. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed flange and a stiflened tongue integrally formed with the flange, the end of the metal forming the tongue being beaded to form I 25 a blunt end on the tongue.

35. A sheet-metal stopper having an integrally-formed depending flange adapted to be bent into locking relation with a receptacle, and a stiffened tongueintegrally formed with 3 the flange and adapted to act as a lever to free a part of the flange from the receptacle, the point'of the tongue being beaded.

36. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a pair of oppositely-arranged tongues, said flange being vertically weakened at points between said tongues.

37. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a pair of oppositely-arranged stiffened tongues, said flange being vertically weakened at points between said tongues.

38. A' sheet-metal stopper havinga flange and a pair of oppositely-arranged stiffened tongues, said flange being provided with means whereby it may be weakened at points between said tongues.

39. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and two pairs of oppositely-arranged tongues, the metal adjacent to the base of one pair of tongues being weakened in a direction extend ing circumferentially of the flange.

40. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and two pairs of oppositely-arranged stiffened tongues, the metal adjacent to the base of each of one pair of tongues being weakened.

41. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and two pairs of oppositely-arranged stiffened tongues, the metal adjacent to the base of each of one pair of tongues being weakened by a cut arranged transversely to the tongues.

' 42. A sheet-metal stopper having a leverlike releasing member, said member being circumferentially curved and of such circumferential extent as to be stifiened by the curvature of the metal.

43. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a tongue integrally formed with said flange, said tongue being circumferentially curved and of such circumferential extent as to be stiffened by the curvature of the metal.

44. A sheet-metal stopper having a plurality of tongues, the tongues being circumferentially curved and of such circumferential extent as to be stiffened by the curvature of the metal.

45. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and 'a plurality of tongues, the tongues being of such circumferential extent as to be stiflened by the curvature of the metal, and said flange being weakened at points between the tongues.

46. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a pair of'oppositely-arranged tongues integrally formed with said flange, said tongues being circumferentially curved and of such circumferential extent as to be stifiened by the curvature of the metal.

47. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a pair of oppositely-arranged tongues integrally formed with said flange, said tongues being of such circumferential extent as to be stiflened by the curvature of the metal, and said flange being vertically weakened at points between the tongues.

48. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a'tongue integrallyformed with the flange,

said tongue being of such circumferential extent as to be stiffened by the curvature of the metal, and said flange being weakened adjacent to the base of the tongue.

49. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange and a tongue integrally formed with the flange, said tongue being of such circumferential extent as to be stiffened by the curvature of the metal, and said flange being weakened adja-v cent to the base of the tongue by a cut arrangedtransversely to the tongue.

50. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper having a flange bent into locking relation with said shoulder, and a tongue integrally formed with the flange, said flange being weakened in a circumferential direction. adjacent to the base of the tongue and above the lockingshoulder.

51. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper having a flange bent into locking relation with said shoulder, and a stiffened tongue integrally formed with the flange, said flange being weakened adjacent to the base of the tongue and above said locking-shoulder.

52. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper having a flange bent into locking relation with said shoulder, and a tongue integrally formed with the flange, said tongue being circumfer-- entially curved and of such circumferential extent as to be stitfened by the curvature of the metal, and said flange being weakened adjacent to the base of the tongue and above said locking-shoulder.

53. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper having a flange bent into locking relation with said shoulder, and a tongue integrally formedwith the flange, said tongue being of such circumferential extent as to be stiffened by the curvature of the metal, and said flange being weakened adjacent to the base of the tongue and above said locking-shoulder by a cut arranged transversely tothe tongue.

54. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a stopper having a flange provided with a pair of oppositely-arranged tongues, said tongues having such circumferential extent as to be stiffened by the curvature of the metal, the flange of the stopper being bent into locking contact with said shoulder adjacent to the baseof the tongues and not sobent at points between the tongues.

55. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheetwmetal stopper having a flange provided with two pairs of oppositely-arranged: stiffened tongues, theflange of the stopper being bent-into locking relation with said shoulder adjacent to the base of. the tongues and not so bent at points between the tongues.

56. The combination of a receptacle-having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper havis bent into locking relation with the shoulder.

57. The combination of a receptacle provided with a rib near its month, said rib hav- \ing an external annular groove forming a locking-shoulder, and a sheet-metal stopper bent into locking relation with said shoulder, said stopperhaving a plurality of stiffened tongues projecting below said locking-shoul- '58. The combination of a receptacle provided with an external rib near its mouth, said rib having an external annular groove forming a locking-shoulder, and a sheetanetal stopper having a flange bent into locking relation with said shoulder, said flange having a plurality'of -d'ep'en'din'g stifl'e'ned tongues projecti'ng' below the bent portion of said flange.

59. The combination of 'a receptacle provided with an external rib near its month, said rib having an external annular groove forming a locking-shoulder, and a sheet-metal stopper having a flange bent into locking relation with said shoulder, said flange having a .plur'ality of depending stiflened tongues projecting below the bent portion of said flange, and said flange being provided with recesses extending from its lower edge above said locking-shoulder between said tongues.

60. The combination of a receptacle pro- "vid'ed with a rib near its mouth, said rib having an external annular groove forming a locking-shoulder, and a sheet-metal stopper bent into locking relation with said shoulder, said stopper having a stifl'e'n-ed tongue projecting below said locking-shoulder, substantially as herein described.

61. The combination of a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper having a securing-flange and a stiflened tongue or member, said flange being weakened in a circumferential direction on opposite sides of said tongue for facilitating the removal of said stopper, substantially as described.

'62. In combination, a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, a sheet-metal stopper 'havi'ng a flange and aplurality of tongues or members, said flange being adapted to be bent or forced into locking relation with said shoul- 'der and being weakened between said tongues or members and at or adjacent to the base of each of one pair of tongues, substantially as herein set forth.

63. In combination, a receptacle having a locking-shoulder, -a sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to be bent or forced into locking relation with said shoulder, a pinrality of tongues or members integral'lyformed with said flange, each of one or more pairs'of said tongues or members being provided with "horizontal cuts or slits adjacent to the base thereof and above said locking-shoulder, and

the metal between said tongues or, members being weakened, substantially as herein described.

64. A sheet-metal stopper having an integral depending flange provided with tongues or projections for securing the stopper in place, said tongues having such circumferential extent as to be stiflened in the direction of their length and one or more circumferential cuts adjacent to the base of one or more of said tongues or projections.

The combination of a receptacle and a sheet-metal stopper having an integral depending flange, said flange being weakened at one or more points by a circumferential cut or cuts and at an adjacent point or points by a recess or recesses extending from the lower edge of the flange above the line of locking con ltact between the stopper and the receplifiC 'e. a

66. A sheet-metal stopper having a securing-flanfge adapted to be bent into locking relation with a shoulder on a receptacle, said flange being weakened in a direction extending circumferentially thereof, whereby when the flange is ruptured the stopper may be readily removed from the receptacle.

67. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to secure the stopper to a receptacle, said flange being weakened by one or more cuts extending circumferentially thereof, whereby when the flange is ruptured the stopper may be readily removed from the receptacle. 1

68. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to secure 'thestopper to a receptacle, said flange being weakened in a direction extending circumferentially thereof, and means whereby the circumferential weakening of the stopper may be rendered effective to permit itsready removal from the receptacle.

69. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to secure the stopper to a receptacle, said flange being weakened in a circumferential direction to an extent of at least one-third ofthe circumference of the stopper.

70. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to secure the stopper to a receptacle, said flange being weakened in a circumferential direction to an extent of at least one-third of the circumference of the stopper, and means for rendering eflective the circumferential weakening of. the flange to permit the removal of the stopper.

71. A sheet-metal stopper having a flange adapted to secure the stopper to a receptacle, said flange having a detaching-tongue and one or more cuts extending -cir'cumferentially of the flange and adjacent to said tongue, where-' by when the flange is ruptured the stopper may be readily removed from the receptacle.

72. A sheet-metal stopper having a circumferentially integral securing-flange adapted to be bent into locking relation with a shoulder on a receptacle, said flange having a detaching-tongue and one or more cuts extending circumferentially thereof adjacent to the tongue and between the top of the stopper and the line of locking contact between the flange and the shoulder, whereby when the fiange is ruptured the stopper may be readily removed from the receptacle.

73. A sheet-metal stopper having a securing-flange, said flange having a substantially circumferential cut, a circumferentially-continuous portion below said out, a member extending below said circumferentially-continuous portion in the vicinity of said out, and means whereby said flange may be readily released from the leceptacle.

74. A sheet-metal stopper having a securing-flange, said flange having a plurality of substantially circumferential cuts, a circumferentially continuous portion below said cuts, a plurality of membersextendi ng below said circumferentially continuous portion, each in the vicinity of one of said cuts, and means whereby said flange may be rendered circumferentially discontinuous to release the stopper from the receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED L. WEISSENTHANNER.

Witnesses:

E. OAMBRELENG, J. H. FREEMAN. 

